Overview & Reviews

Why are Honda vehicles so highly regarded by American drivers? Certainly, their excellent reputation for reliability and quality is a major factor. But it also has to do with the overall driving and owning experience. Read any Honda review and you'll likely notice common themes such as thoughtful design, a friendly nature, better-than-average fuel economy and attention to safety.

Japan-based Honda Motor Company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda. The company got its start making motorbikes. Japan had been rendered cash poor and fuel-starved after World War II, and its citizens were hurting for an inexpensive, fuel-efficient mode of transportation. Honda's first motorcycles mated engines with bicycles to create a motorbike that was cheap to make and operate.

Honda's bikes quickly evolved into vehicles far more sophisticated than small engines stuck into bicycle frames. The manufacturer's 1949 D-Type could reach speeds of up to 50 mph, and offered front and rear suspension. The 1950s saw the launch of the successful Juno scooter, built to steal market share from the Vespa knockoffs that were popular in Japan at that time. In the latter part of that decade, Honda introduced the ultra-successful C100 Super Cub. The motorbike was remarkably easy to operate and featured a crossbar-free frame that made it popular with women. It went on to become the first Honda motorbike sold in the U.S. via then-new American Honda Co. in 1959.

By the early 1960s, Honda had built its first automobiles for the Japanese home market and entered Formula One racing. But it wasn't until 1970 that it exported its first car, the diminutive N600, to the U.S. The automaker initially had a hard time sparking interest among American buyers, but that all changed in 1973 with the introduction of the Civic. The car was larger than Honda's previous models even though it was still very petite compared to compact American cars. The Civic's high fuel efficiency (an important selling point given that decade's energy crisis) and affordability made it Honda's first American success story. By 1976, the Civic had been joined by the Accord, which quickly became a favorite with U.S. consumers as well.

By the 1980s, Honda's success and its reputation as a maker of well-built reliable cars and motorcycles continued to grow. It began building Accords in the U.S. in 1982 and by 1989 had earned the distinction of making America's most popular car. This was also the decade in which Honda created the Acura brand as a way to sell more upscale and luxurious vehicles. Throughout this decade and into the 1990s, the Civic and Accord were huge sellers and considered class benchmarks. Also during this time, Honda continued to innovate through such technologies as variable valve timing, aluminum body construction and improved safety features.

Today, Honda's lineup runs the gamut. Included are fuel-sipping hybrids, a spacious minivan, reliable family sedans, practical SUVs and even a pickup. Although the latest Civic and Accord aren't quite the benchmarks they once were for their respective classes, Honda's brand as a whole continues to be one of the most well respected in the industry, with millions of loyal and satisfied customers.

User Reviews:

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  A lot of fun in a small package - 2009 Honda Fit
  By ReneeSarah - April 18 - 2:06 pm

  If you are looking for something fun to drive with great interior flexibility and very good gas mileage- please consider the Honda Fit. It has very good gas mileage, a lot of interior room with back seats that fold both up and down, wonderful visibility out the front windows, accessible and logically placed dials and controls, a decent stereo system and has that almost undefinable "fun to drive" factor seriously going for it.

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  2014 Accord Hybrid Touring MPG WTF - 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By rsxing - April 18 - 8:29 am

  I purchased 2 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring sedans for my house hold and neither one has gotten close to 50 mpg. I installed the HFP 19 wheels with Continental ContiSport 3s on my Touring sedan (from my old Accord coupe) so I can forgive that car of under whelming me in the MPG dept. But with that in mind the car seems to hesitate a lot during highway speeds above 55 MPH. Not sure what sure what the cause of this is. The other car has achieved 42 MPG once and averages 37. The driver of this car is VERY conservative so the problem isnt how the sedan is being driven. I hope that this a break in period thing. Neither car drives in EV mode more than %10 of the time.

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  Lucked out - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Skier - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I read enough about both the civic and prius to make me think its a toss up. The final factor, availabilty. Two toyota dealers had waiting list of 8 months to a year and a half. Honda dealer two miles from my work hadnt started a list yet and I had the next delivered hybrid. (3 days). I know it was lucky, but i got a hybrid for a few grand less, zero waiting, few hundred under sticker and in time to get the 2003 tax break.

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  Ok if you look past build quality issues - 2004 Honda Accord
  By oldsroyale - April 16 - 10:00 am

  My EXV6 cp is plagued with squeaks, creaks, rattles, and buzzing. The dealer had trouble fixing them. The interior looks and feels solid, but the seats are shaped poorly. The transmission shifts hard and isnt responsive. On the plus side, the 3.0 engine gives you great high-end response if you have it in the right gear. Im getting 24- 25mpg on 87 in mixed driving. Handling is decent and inspires confidence. Brakes are catchy, but hard braking elicits the EBD, and ABS is too easy to kick in. Dont know about snow yet. Serious buyers: buy the 6sp, and dont accept delivery until you are satisfied that your car is rattle-free and prepped properly.

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  First midsized car - 2004 Honda Accord
  By motoguy128 - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Leased this car last week and am very happy with my selection. Previous car was a 03 Corolla CE 5-speed manual. Outstanding quality of materials and construct/assembly. Great compromise of ride & handling. Very quiet at all speeds. Good fuel economy for a midsized... average 30mpg in 70/30 hwy/city respecitvely. Great stereo, no need to consider an upgrade. Love the styling. Engine/tranny are top notch. Limited headroom.

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  Love it with two small exceptions - 2006 Honda Element
  By Charlie - April 15 - 11:04 pm

  The Element is perfect for my lifestyle. I race bicycles and camp quite a bit. Throwing the bike in the back without taking it apart is great, sleeping in the Element at the race site or anywhere is a nice option. Lots of room to change clothes, eat lunch or whatever else. You wont believe how much stuff you can fit in the back (I recently moved). Super easy to clean. Drives just fine yet you certainly know when there is a cross wind but that makes it a little more interesting to drive. Gas mileage is right on target. A few suggestions, see below but really the Element is a great vehicle.

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  Honda Accord EX-L - 2001 Honda Accord
  By Ryan Riederer - April 14 - 10:00 am

  The Accord has been comfortable and functional yet not terriably exciting. Our car has had the air bags stolen twice in less than two years and is a direct result form being such a popular car. As much as I like hondas I will never purchase another until the something has been done to change the conformity of the airbags. I know it is cheaper for Honda to have uniform airbags in every Arura and Honda but this only increases the value (ability to fence) on the black market.

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  Ingrid the Insight - 2001 Honda Insight
  By Shoe - April 12 - 5:55 pm

  This is the best purchase Ive ever made. 90k miles later, Im still loving it. You must be committed to the cause of low emissions and reduced fuel consumption, because a two seater with fewer horses than most riding mowers is not for everyone. I can fit two sets of golf clubs in the back and my passenger and I are very comfortable. Smart car. Youd look smart driving it.

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  Total miss for Moms - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Jessica - April 12 - 2:48 am

  I love just about everything about my Pilot. Lots of room on the inside, comfortable, good storage. However, they missed a couple of VERY VERY VERY important features for a busy, distracted mom. 1) The bluetooth is more of a pain than it is worth. You are limited on dialing while driving - I spend lots of time in stop and go traffic, and that is when I make my calls, but I have to use my phone to make the calls, then transferring over is dicey on whether or not it works. 2) The touchscreen is good in theory, but doesnt translate well to driving and trying to use it. 3) The Pilot also does not have volume knob. It may seem like a small detail, but if you hear a funny sound coming from the kids in the back, and you need IMMEDIATE silence, you wont get it with the Pilot. You dont realize how often you need your radio muted, until you drive this car and realize that you have to hit the volume "area", and then get your finger on the TINY mute button, all the while you have a child puking in your back seat. Or you can choose to use the steering wheel control, and hit the down arrow 47 times. Either way, it is a total nuisance. Had I know this before, I would NOT have bought the car. Its THAT important. My husband thought I was being dramatic, then we took the Pilot on a 3 hour trip. At the end, he agreed the entire touch screen was worthless, and the muting is a real problem.

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  15K review, not so perfect - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By path4 - April 11 - 2:34 pm

  I have owned it for about 11 month and put it 15K miles. Averaged 14mpg city, 20-22mpg highway @75-85mph. The seat is not comfortable. I can not find a configuration that fully support my back. Not a problem for short trips, but I take long trips often and I always have back pain and sour neck after driving 2 hours. Engine is pretty quiet, but wind noise and road noise become annoying @ 80mph. More sound dumpening material should be used. Both my wife (not a good driver) and I find it easier to drive than corolla and accord. The rear backup sensor is well worth the money.